Hope Ikpoku Jnr models the MJB x Overwatch 2 Genji collection
(Picture: Activision Blizzard)A clothing collection based on Overwatch 2 is heading to Selfridges as the worlds of gaming and fashion continue to collide. Taking inspiration from the team-based shooter’s heroes Kiriko, LuÌcio, Sojourn and Genji, the new line comes courtesy of British fashion house MJB and will be available online and at the London department store on Monday, November 14.
The pieces span an oversize bomber jacket featuring hand-painted roses based on Kiriko, while the Lúcio line features a balaclava hoodie; the Genji collection boasts a silver organza windbreaker set and the Sojourn line has beige bowling silk set and shorts with a lightning print.
Overwatch 2, which arrived in October on consoles and PCs as a free-to-play title, shifted the gameplay from a 6v6 format to smaller 5v5 matches. The original and its sequel have both drawn praise for their rich line-up of characters, each with distinct personalities and traits that players have come to adore. Therefore, it’s no wonder that MJB’s new range pays tribute to those heroes, including Soujourn and Kiriko, who make up two of the three additions to the sequel alongside Junker Queen.
To model the new collection, the brand tapped British rapper Giggs for the LuÌcio line; musician Hope Ikpoku Jnr for the Genji collection, Afrobeat singer Darkoo for the Sojourn line, while actor Wallis Day donned the Kiriko set.
Commenting on the apparel, Marc Jacques Burton, the creative director of MJB, said: “It has been epic to work with Overwatch 2 to create high-end fashion pieces based on my favourite characters from the game. I normally work with musicians creating stage and studio pieces for them and on this occasion working with videogame heroes pushed me to think through the personality traits of heroes and create pieces that they could save the world in.”
He continued: “I am super excited for everyone to see the incredible new spiked organza fabric we have developed as well as the all-over pocket design of Lúcio’s hero outfit.”
The Overwatch 2 x MJB line is the latest in a growing list of collaborations between the fashion and gaming industries. Previous examples include Nike’s League of Legends range, Adidas and Ninja’s sneaker and Uniqlo’s Animal Crossing Collection. Nor is this MJB’s first gaming crossover: the brand previously made a limited edition capsule celebrating Sega’s Sonic the Hedgehog series. And that’s not even counting all the digital fashion launches from the likes of Balenciage and Fortnite, Burberry and China’s Honor of Kings and Marc Jacobs and Animal Crossing.
